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Two-time defending jockey titlist Paco Lopez rode the winners of the first three races on Wednesday’s card.

The 26-year-old native of Terra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico swept the daily double with Olympist ($3) in the first and Sheik Polis ($10.20) in the second. He also got home first aboard Devilish Silver ($5.40 in the third before finishing second aboard 22-1 longshot Romantic Juliet in the sixth race.

The three wins pushed his meet win total to 44, good for third place behind Javier Castellano (75) and John Velazquez (58) in the standings. Lopez captured the titles for the last two meetings with 83 and 74 wins, respectively.

“This year Castellano and Johnny are doing much better. I’ve had a couple suspensions that hurt me, but I’m just trying to win as many races as I can,” Lopez said.

Quote of the Day: “She seemed like she ran decent last time, and she was cutting back from a mile. She looked like she was competitive in her races before that. I gave her her head at the start and got after her to finish,” said Jozbin Santana, who rode longshot Countess Emma to a 1 ½ length victory in the sixth race, worth $154.60 for a $2 win ticket.

Work of the Day: Shug McGaughey-trained Air Support returned to the workout tab at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old son of Smart Strike, who has not run since capturing the $600,000 Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs last July, breezed an easy half-mile in 52 1/5 seconds.

Who’s Hot: Jose Lezcano visited the winner’s circle back-to-back with Fog Happens ($18.20) in the eighth and Quantity ($6.20) in the ninth.